Insurtech Firm RuralNet Surpasses PHP 400 M in Microinsurance Claims

Manila, Philippines — RuralNet, a leading Philippine Insurtech (insurance technology) company, has officially surpassed PHP 400 million in insurance payouts across 33,000 processed claims, proving the scalability and profitability of its digital microinsurance model.

The milestone comes as the company announces a strategic expansion into natural calamity protection by Q3 2026. This move aims to future-proof underserved communities as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues an official advisory confirming the onset of El Niño conditions, an event projected to bring volatile climate risks well into early 2027.

Unlike traditional insurtech startups struggling with sustainability, RuralNet has built a profitable, API-driven platform that now protects over 6 million Filipinos. The company, established in 2018, has successfully penetrated 81 out of the country’s 82 provinces through partnerships with insurers, rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions, bridging a critical financial inclusion gap in rural and low-income areas where insurance penetration has historically hovered below two percent.

The milestone coincides with a shifting landscape in the Philippine financial sector. Recent data from the Insurance Commission reveals countrywide insurance penetration edged up to 1.78%, reflecting a growing awareness among Filipino households. Yet, a massive protection gap remains, with only 28% of Filipinos having life insurance, leaving millions in rural and low-income areas completely exposed. This is the untapped vital market that RuralNet’s digital model is optimized to capture.

"As a social impact company, RuralNet was founded to provide a safety net to low-income Filipino families who are the most vulnerable to financial shocks. This latest milestone proves that our affordable microinsurance plans can make a real difference for thousands of families when they need it most, while also being a scalable and profitable business model. By leveraging technology, we’ve been able to deliver higher-quality service to our customers at a fraction of the cost. This year, we’re excited to scale our natural calamity protection plans to help alleviate the financial pressure from climate change on rural households, to rapidly provide immediate and necessary aid on the ground after disasters,” said Justin Arcenas, Founder & CEO of RuralNet Inc.

A key driver of RuralNet’s profitability is its proprietary digital infrastructure, which has streamlined the claims process to turn around payouts 75% faster than the industry average, boasting a 97% claims approval rate. By enabling rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions to digitally distribute insurance via APIs, RuralNet has drastically lowered operational overhead.

Supporting this nationwide expansion is CashKO Insurance Brokerage, RuralNet’s wholly owned subsidiary. CashKO, recognized as the country’s fifth-largest microinsurance provider, has protected over 6 million Filipinos and generated PHP 400 million in total premiums, providing the financial bedrock for RuralNet’s tech-driven ecosystem. CashKO has been expanding its network with 22 distribution partners through over 5,000 branches nationwide.

With a proven track record of handling life and accident claims efficiently, RuralNet's upcoming Q3 2026 calamity rollout will target the country's most vulnerable agricultural and rural sectors, shielding low-income households from the economic shocks of typhoons, flooding, and severe drought.

For more information about RuralNet and its climate-resilience solutions, visit ruralnet.ph or micro.cashko-insurance.com.

LG Philippines Launches K-Sama Club: A New Community for Smarter Home Living

LG Philippines has officially introduced the K-Sama Club, a new online community designed for consumers who want to learn more about LG products, smart home technologies, and practical ways to improve everyday living. The initiative reflects LG’s commitment to building stronger connections with its customers while providing a dedicated space for learning, sharing, and discovering innovative home solutions.

The K-Sama Club serves as an interactive platform where members can access useful product tips, explore home improvement ideas, and exchange experiences with fellow LG users. Whether someone is a long-time LG customer or simply interested in smart home innovations, the community offers valuable resources that can help maximize the benefits of modern technology.

One of the key highlights of the K-Sama Club is its focus on knowledge sharing. Members can discover practical hacks, learn how to optimize the performance of their LG appliances, and stay updated on the latest trends in smart home living. Through discussions and shared experiences, participants can gain insights that make everyday household tasks more efficient and enjoyable.

In addition to educational content, K-Sama Club members can enjoy exclusive benefits that are not readily available to the general public. These include early access to special promotions, exclusive offers, and unique perks from LG Philippines. Such advantages provide added value for members while strengthening their engagement with the brand.

The launch of the K-Sama Club comes at a time when more consumers are embracing connected lifestyles and seeking technologies that simplify daily routines. LG has consistently developed products that combine innovation, convenience, and reliability, and the new community aims to help users make the most of these advancements.

Beyond product discussions, the platform encourages collaboration and interaction among members who share a common interest in creating smarter and more comfortable homes. By fostering a welcoming environment, LG hopes to build a community where people can learn from one another and stay inspired by new ideas for modern living.

The K-Sama Club is open to everyone interested in exploring LG innovations and discovering how technology can enhance everyday experiences. As smart home solutions continue to evolve, the community provides an excellent opportunity for users to stay informed, connected, and empowered.

With the launch of the K-Sama Club, LG Philippines is taking another step toward creating meaningful customer experiences and helping households embrace a smarter future.

Globe Brings Star Wars The Mandalorian & Grogu Experience to Cabanatuan Students, Inspiring the Next Generation of Changemakers

Globe turned the excitement of the Star Wars universe into a meaningful opportunity for students in Cabanatuan, bringing senior high school and college learners together for an exclusive screening of Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu as part of its broader collaboration with Disney to inspire courage, connection, and community among Filipino youth.

Held at SM Cabanatuan, the event gave students a chance to immerse themselves in one of the world's most iconic stories while connecting with fellow young leaders, educators, and Globe employees. More than a cinematic experience, the gathering highlighted the values at the heart of both the film and Globe's youth initiatives: resilience, purpose, and the power of building communities that help people thrive.

The screening also introduced attendees to the Globe Student Program, which provides access to internships, scholarships, volunteer opportunities, AI hackathons, content creation initiatives, and other avenues that help students develop their talents and create positive impact within their schools and communities.

"We wanted to make the Mandalorian screening in Cabanatuan a celebration of what the youth love: stories, shared interests, and experiences that bring them together. Through this special event, Globe is recognizing the passions of students and creating a memorable moment that reflects how much we value them," said Raymond Mancilla, Area Business Head.

The Cabanatuan leg was one of several student-focused engagements rolled out by Globe and Disney across key cities, including Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, bringing thousands of young Filipinos closer to stories that champion courage, purpose, and belonging. Through these experiences, Globe continues to empower the next generation with opportunities that go beyond connectivity, equipping students with the support, platforms, and inspiration they need to pursue their ambitions, strengthen their communities, and become changemakers in their own right.

As Globe expands programs that champion learning, leadership, and digital inclusion, it remains focused on creating spaces where young Filipinos can discover their potential, find their community, and take the next step toward becoming the heroes of their own stories. To learn more about opportunities available through the Globe Student Program, visit globe.com.ph/student-program.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Roblox Launches Roblox Kids and Roblox Select Globally to Enhance Online Safety for Young Gamers

MANILA, Philippines — Roblox has officially launched Roblox Kids and Roblox Select worldwide, introducing a new age-based account system designed to provide safer and more appropriate gaming experiences for children and teenagers. The update aligns access to games, chat features, and content with a user's age while giving parents more tools to manage their child's online activity.

The global rollout follows successful launches in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Under the new system, users are automatically assigned to the appropriate account category based on their age and verification status.

Roblox Kids accounts are intended for younger users and come with the platform's strictest safety settings. Chat is disabled by default, although parents can choose to enable limited text-based communication through parental controls. Roblox Select accounts, aimed at older children and younger teens, offer access to a broader range of content and gradually unlock additional communication features while maintaining strong safety protections.

According to Dr. Anuradha Rao, a member of Roblox's Global Parent Council, the new account structure provides families with more opportunities for parental involvement and oversight while encouraging healthy technology habits and positive online interactions.

To ensure age-appropriate experiences, all games available for Roblox Kids and Roblox Select undergo additional reviews beyond Roblox's standard moderation process. Developers must verify their identities, enable two-factor authentication, and meet publishing requirements before making games accessible to younger audiences. Roblox also evaluates gameplay and reviews reports from older users to maintain platform safety standards.

Popular games available within the curated catalogs include titles such as Driving Empire, Grow a Garden, and How to Train Your Dragon in supported regions. However, games containing social hangout features, free-form drawing tools, or sensitive topics are excluded from Kids and Select accounts.

Roblox has also strengthened its communication safeguards. Users who have not completed age verification cannot access chat features, regardless of their self-declared age. Verified users are placed into the appropriate account category, with chat permissions varying based on age. Additional protections such as text filtering, chat rephrasing, and continuous monitoring remain active across the platform.

Parents who link their accounts to their children's profiles gain access to enhanced parental controls, including screen-time limits, spending controls, friend list monitoring, chat management, and game approval settings. As children mature, Roblox gradually increases their independence while still providing parents with visibility into their online activities.

With Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, Roblox continues its commitment to creating a safer digital environment while helping young users develop responsible online habits as they grow.

Globe, Ayala Foundation Strengthen Recovery Aid for Cebu Earthquake Survivors

Bogo City, Cebu - Globe continues to mobilize support for communities affected by the September 2025 earthquake, bringing together customers, employees, and partners through the #BrigadangAyala program to provide immediate relief and long-term rebuilding.

Globe and Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) led the turnover of shelter kits to 25 families and 120 Go Bags to heads of households in Barangay Binabag, reinforcing efforts to restore safe living conditions and strengthen preparedness for future disasters. The initiative builds on a series of interventions following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that affected communities across Regions VII and VIII, including earlier support extended to communities in Mati, Davao, where Globe and its partners provided shelter kits and introduced digital livelihood opportunities to help displaced families rebuild their homes and restore income sources. Globe is also preparing for the next phase of recovery efforts in Palawan.

The program was implemented in coordination with the Bogo City Local Government Unit and the Barangay Binabag Council to ensure alignment with local recovery priorities and beneficiary targeting.

The Cebu activity mobilized over 30 employee-volunteers from Globe and the Ayala Group companies. Volunteers supported distribution operations and conducted sessions on livelihood, financial literacy, and basic health services, alongside technical guidance on online safety through Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program.

Emergency assistance was first deployed in October 2025, when food packs were delivered to affected families within four days of the earthquake. This was followed by a second round of support in December 2025, with the provision of Noche Buena packages and emergency kits. Support came from Globe Rewards, GoGIVE, and Globe Business, with #BrigadangAyala led by Ayala Foundation and Rise Against Hunger Philippines as implementing partners on the ground.

At the core of the initiative is the participation of more than 200,000 Globe customers who converted their Rewards points into aid through Group Goals in the GlobeOne app last January. Their collective contribution enabled the delivery of resources to families working to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. An earlier activation in the City of Mati was also done, wherein 80 families benefited from donated shelter kits. In a few weeks, Globe and AFI will go to El Nido, Palawan, to distribute 180 Go Bags and Shelter Kits to 25 public schools.

“We are deeply grateful for our partners who have stepped up to support the community,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of Globe. “Through platforms like GlobeOne, we are also able to scale support and channel resources where they are needed most.”

The Bogo City Local Government Unit emphasized the value of sustained collaboration in helping affected communities recover. “Ayala and Globe have a strong collaboration to help the victims of the 6.9M earthquake in the City of Bogo in rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods so that they can move forward,” said Carlo Fernando Logarta, Head, City Planning & Development Office, Bogo City LGU.

Ayala Foundation reinforced this approach, emphasizing the role of sustained, multi-sector collaboration in rebuilding efforts. “#BrigadangAyala brings together the strengths of the Ayala group and its partners who converted their Rewards points into aid to move from immediate relief to long-term recovery,” said Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation. “By aligning resources and expertise, we are helping communities rebuild safer homes while strengthening their capacity to prepare for future risks.”

Globe customers can support the Ayala Foundation via the GlobeOne app. Simply tap the Rewards button and search "Ayala Foundation" to donate Rewards points.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.